Question:
I would like to hear from anyone with Type I diabetes who has had this surgery.

Are you on a pump? On a split dose (usually NPH or Lente and Regular or Humalog)? On the new long-acting insuling (Lantus, I believe) with Humalog at meal times? How did you control sugars during and immediately after surgery? How do you treat low blood sugars if you are not supposed to consume any sugar?    — garw (posted on December 12, 2001)

December 12, 2001
Your a very rare person, type ones are almost never MO. The disease tends to make you loose weight. I hope you get some responses to your questions, my surgeon says that type 1s have much better control after weight loss. Note the post op diet is low in carbs and sugar but not totally sugar free. You will still be allowed to eat enough sugar to prevent low blood sugar because that is dangerous.
   — bob-haller

December 12, 2001
One of the reasons I had the VBG instead of the RNY was that I could have sugars---after being type 2 for 5 years, I wanted to enjoy food again. I had my surgery 8/29 and have had 3 hypos since then. Luckily, I've been able to treat them with good old orange juice! Before you have the surgery, talk with your endocrinologist and make sure that you are really Type1---there are tests they can run to determine if you are Type1 or Type2. It will make a huge difference in your post-op care. There are a lot of type 2 people out there who aren't, they are simply Insulin Dependant. If you are in this case, then the surgery will help you to get off of the insulin and on to more conventional ways of treating type 2. The correct medical terms that doctors use in treatment, are Insulin Dependant Diabetes Melitus, and NonInsulin Dependant Diabetes Melitus (IDDIM and NIDDM). For more information please go to the American Diabetes Association's web site, or talk with your endocrinologist. My experience was that I needed insulin post-op while being in the hospital, and quickly did not when I came home. I've been off of my meds since then, but I do need to watch my diet and get my exercise in to really keep things in control and avoid hypo like symptoms if I go to high and then drop too quickly.
   — Sue F.

December 12, 2001
Good point I missed, theres a excellent chance you are a type 2 insuklin deopendent. If thats the case there is a 85 % cure rate, cure being defined as off ALL sugar meds and insulin. All thru surgery and the accompying weight loss. I know lots of post ops who no longer need insulin. Incidently I was just on diabetic drugs but pre op had low blood sugar problems. They no longer occur:)
   — bob-haller

December 12, 2001
I appreciate the replies, but I am definitely a Type 1. I was diagnosed at 18 (am now 54) with all the classic symptoms of type 1 diabetes. I have been on insulin from the start, have always needed it regardless of my weight and expect to be on it the rest of my life, unless a cure is found before I die.
   — garw

December 16, 2001
I am a type I (brittle) diabetic and prior to my surgery took 4 shots a day. I had my surgery on Nov. 8th and have lost 32 lbs. thus far. I am on a sliding scale with my insulin and averaging about two shots a day, which I am very happy about. I take NPH and Humalog. I used to take 71 units a day and now take around 25-30. I test my blood sugars 4 times a day. My main reason for the surgery was to get control of my diabetes. It runs in my family and I have an aunt that had toes amputated, so that really scares me. I am 39 years old and want to live alot longer and am hoping with this surgery and weight loss will give me many more happy years.
   — Lori K.